Nancy Wyse Power facts for kids

Ann "Nancy" Wyse Power was an important Irish woman. She was born on 16 November 1889 and passed away on 27 December 1963. Nancy was a scholar who studied Celtic languages. She also worked as a diplomat and was a strong supporter of Irish independence.

Nancy's Early Life and Schooling

Nancy Wyse Power was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her birthday was 16 November 1889. Her father, John Wyse Power, helped start the Gaelic Athletic Association. This group promotes Irish sports. Her mother, Jane O'Toole, was an activist and a businesswoman. She also worked for women's rights.

Nancy's family owned a restaurant in Dublin. Many important Irish nationalists often visited their restaurant. Her sister, Máire, also studied Celtic languages.

Nancy joined the Gaelic League in 1902. This group worked to keep the Irish language and culture alive. She was also part of the Women's committee for Sinn Féin. This was a political party that wanted Ireland to be independent.

Nancy went to University College Dublin (UCD). She earned a degree in Celtic Studies in 1912. After that, she went to the University of Bonn in Germany. She studied for her doctorate there. But she had to return to Ireland in 1915. This was because of the First World War. She finally finished her studies in 1920. She focused on the history of languages, especially Celtic ones.

Nancy's Work for Irish Freedom

When Nancy returned to Ireland in 1915, she joined Cumann na mBan. This was an Irish women's organization. They supported Irish independence. Nancy was very active in the week before the Easter Rising. This was a major rebellion against British rule in 1916.

She knew the rising was going to happen. A leader named Bulmer Hobson asked her to carry messages. She delivered important notes to places like Cork and Carlow. During Easter week, she worked from the General Post Office, Dublin. She carried messages and moved supplies for the rebels.

In 1917, Nancy and her mother helped families. They supported those whose family members were in prison. Or those who had lost loved ones during the Rising. Later in 1917, Nancy became a secretary for Cumann na mBan. She helped the group grow to over 500 local branches by 1920. She also helped organize "Lá na mBan" (Women's Day) in 1918.

Constance Markievicz, another famous Irish leader, trusted Nancy. She suggested Nancy could take her place if Sinn Féin leaders were arrested. Nancy was very active throughout the Irish war of Independence.

Working for the New Irish Government

After the war, the new Irish government, called the Dáil, hired Nancy. She worked for their foreign service. In April 1921, she helped set up the Irish mission office in Berlin, Germany. She also helped restart the "Irish Bulletin" there. This was a newspaper that shared Ireland's message with the world.

Later, some people thought Nancy had ideas against the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This treaty created the Irish Free State. But Nancy did not oppose the treaty. So, she then joined the Department of Industry and Commerce. She worked there from 1923 to 1932.

In 1932, Seán T. O'Kelly asked her to be his private secretary. She worked for him in the Department of Local Government and Public Health. Nancy was one of the first women to become a "principal officer" in the civil service. This was a high-ranking job. She used her position to support other women in government work.

Nancy also served as a governor for the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. She was appointed to this role in 1940. She retired from her government job in 1954. From 1959 to 1962, she was president of the UCD Women Graduates' Association. Nancy Wyse Power passed away on 27 December 1963, at the age of 74.